Pattern of Admissions to Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U) in the year 2000 at Mulago Hospital

ABSTRACT

In the year 2000; 285 patients were admitted to the I.C.U. of Mulago hospital. On average 23.8 patients were admitted per month. The aptients comprised 203 adults (71). There were 122 adult male (55) patients. This indicates that there were more adults males than females with critical illnesses. 192(67.1) of the patients had surgical conditions of which general surgical and neurosurgical cases were the commonest. Amongst the medical conditions ischaemic heart disease was the commonest. The medical conditions had a very wide spectrum of diagnoses. The need for a clearly defined admission criteria and management protocols cannot be over-emphasised. The apparent low paediatric admissions (83 patients - 29) is partly consequence of the hospital design. The need for a paediatrict I.C.U. is a reality